Chememan Limited, a global producer of lime and chemical products operating under the Chememan brand, reported first-half 2025 earnings of 256 million baht in net profit attributable to shareholders, a 7.6% increase compared to the same period last year. Sales and service revenue totaled 1.88 billion baht, down 4.6%, but the company improved its gross profit margin to 40.1% from 36.6% in the prior-year period, demonstrating effective management amid global economic uncertainty.

Second-quarter 2025 results showed sales revenue of 907 million baht and net profit of 84 million baht, declining 4.5% and 21.9% respectively year-on-year, weighed by geopolitical tensions that drove energy and transportation costs higher. Nevertheless, the company maintained a gross margin of 38.2% in the quarter, up from 37.2% a year earlier, through disciplined cost control and production efficiency improvements.

Moving forward, Chememan is pursuing aggressive growth strategies including anticipated contributions from its acquisition of Lime Master starting in the third quarter. Short-term plans emphasize advanced technology and digital investments to enhance operations, stringent cost oversight, and accelerating electric vehicle adoption to exceed 90% of its fleet by year-end 2025. The company is confident 2025 will deliver record-breaking performance.

Over the next two to three years, Chememan plans to expand operations in India and Indonesia to boost production capacity and customer reach. Sustainability initiatives include expanding solar power generation to 8.7 MW across Thai facilities and abroad, and trialling biomass fuels to reduce long-term CO2 emissions. Leadership expressed confidence that strong regional networks, proven business resilience, and strategic market position position the company for significant growth and strengthened market leadership in the Indo-Pacific region.

Government spokesman Ratchada Thanadirek said the government is committed to cracking down on corruption at all levels, particularly issues of public concern, by coordinating with relevant agencies and strictly enforcing laws to protect national interests and public security.

Regarding efforts to dismantle networks involving hired Thai men who falsely registered marriages and filed fraudulent birth declarations to illegally obtain Thai nationality for foreign children, the Department of Local Administration, together with the National Police and other agencies, has launched three anti-corruption operations targeting transnational criminal networks involved in civil registry fraud and illegal Thai citizenship applications.

The first operation, called "Demolish Kumar Thip," resulted in four arrests. The local registration office in Huai Kwang district has revoked two false birth registrations of foreign children and is investigating further. The second operation, "Reverse Dragon Scales," arrested six suspects on April 29, including two Chinese nationals, three Thai men hired to register false marriages and paternity, and one district office official. Investigations expanded, resulting in arrest warrants for 35 additional suspects on July 7.

The third operation, "Remove Dragon Scales," targeted networks falsifying marriage registrations and civil registry fraud to illegally obtain Thai nationality. Between July 9-11, the court approved 35 arrest warrants, with 32 suspects apprehended. One Chinese mother fled the country and two others disappeared. Courts denied bail for 27 suspects, citing serious criminal organization activity and national security concerns. The Department of Local Administration has ordered cancellation of all fraudulently registered births.

The Anti-Money Laundering Office will investigate financial flows and seize assets of those involved. Regarding the discovery of approximately 57 million liters of oil worth over 2.3 billion baht showing irregularities, multiple agencies including the Special Cases Investigation Department, Energy Department, National Police, Revenue Department, Customs Department, and Naval Operations Command are coordinating investigations. Three cases have been filed in Ang Thong province and the southern region, with accused parties already informed of charges. Investigations continue into oil storage facilities and traders elsewhere to expand cases against all involved.

Bella Ranee's personal manager Ploy has responded to harsh criticism of the actress's comedic content, announcing a zero-tolerance policy for abusive comments. The "Ploy and Bella" channel, which features light-hearted comedy clips from the actress and her manager, recently posted a viral dance video but received harsh and vulgar backlash from some viewers who disapproved of the content. Ploy posted a statement declaring that any future toxic or vulgar comments would be blocked, asking fans not to engage with haters and to keep the page a positive space. The statement read: "From now on, anyone commenting with vulgar language and toxic energy will be blocked. There's no point in it harming anyone. I don't want our lovely fans to have to defend us from this type of person. It's a waste of energy and time." Fans have rallied behind the decision, supporting the move to maintain a constructive online environment.

On August 11, 2026, the Community Development Department under the Ministry of Interior unveiled the Thai Textiles Trend Book Spring/Summer 2027, the seventh edition of a knowledge-development publication for advancing Thai products internationally. The launch was held at Suralai Hall, Level 7 of ICONSIAM shopping mall, with Sayam Sirimongkhon, director of the Community Development Department, as chair.

The book received royal patronage from Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, who serves as editor-in-chief. It builds on the royal initiative Thai Wear Made Fun to advance Thai textile knowledge and promote Thai fashion and product development aligned with modern global contexts.

A panel discussion explored the direction of Thai textiles and contemporary fashion, featuring leading experts and designers: Kulwit Lao-Sukonsri, executive editor of Vogue Thailand; Thanunrat Thanasetkrung, Thai textile expert and advisor to the Thai Wear Made Fun project; Palpat Asvaraparp, designer and founder of ASAVA brand; and Jensuda Pan-to Sirisuwan, designer and founder of JANESUDA brand.

The Thai Textiles Trend Book Spring/Summer 2027 presents the core concept "Reimagine," inviting viewers to consider culture, craftsmanship, and fashion from a fresh perspective. It employs the "Cultural Diplomats" framework to communicate and connect people through the power of culture while reinterpreting traditional wisdom through contemporary creativity.

The book features four key concepts: The Exquisite Movement, conveying beauty through motion via structure, patterns, and weaving techniques; The Masterpiece Muse, blending art with fashion and reinterpreting traditional methods as wearable art; The Clarity of Immortality, presenting quality living through natural tones, soft textures, and wellness concepts; and The Sanctuary Within, reflecting peace and mental refuge inspired by architecture, design, and textile surfaces.

These four concepts reflect Thai fashion's direction of reimagining, reinterpreting, and reinventing cultural roots as contemporary works that can evolve into future products and lifestyles while elevating Thai textiles on the global stage sustainably.

Interested visitors can view the Thai Textiles Trend Book Spring/Summer 2027 exhibition and experience the appeal of Thai textiles and contemporary fashion direction from August 11–14, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Suralai Hall, Level 7 of ICONSIAM shopping mall.

The Public Relations Department announced on August 11, 2025, an exhibition and academic seminar under the concept of 'Legacy: Creative Continuity & Creativity,' honoring the late Queen Sirikit and continuing the royal initiative of Princess Siriwannawaree. The event, held at Thara Hall on the M floor of Iconsiam, brought together Public Relations Department Director Sutyuthai Lerdkasem, consultant Thanan Ratinunthorn, and fashion designers Sirichai Thaharinan (founder of Theatre brand) and Janesuda Pantho (founder of Janesuda brand).

The exhibition showcases textile heritage not as a static artifact but as a living tradition creatively adapted to the modern world while preserving traditional techniques, patterns, and regional identity. The project studied ten model weaving communities nationwide, including groups from Suratthani, Udon Thani, Nong Bua Lamphu, Songkhla, Roi Et, Kalasin, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Ratchaburi, and Nakhon Ratchasima.

Visitors will trace Thai textiles from traditional knowledge through production to contemporary fashion creations, with panel discussions featuring experts, designers, entrepreneurs, and fashion professionals on textile preservation, value enhancement, and global competitiveness. A fashion show will feature work from the ten communities modeled by celebrities including Miss World 2025 Opal Suchata Chuangsri, to inspire younger generations to see Thai textiles as versatile and timeless. The free exhibition runs August 11–13, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Thara Hall, Iconsiam.

Private sector proposals are showing results as the Joint Public-Private Committee commends the government for accelerating improvements to laws and regulations that hinder business operations, moving forward with 11 priority items ready for immediate action.

The Joint Public-Private Committee of Three Institutions praised the government for prioritizing and expediting reforms to legal and regulatory obstacles to business. After joint public-private submissions to the Public-Private Partnership Committee for Economic Problem-Solving, tangible progress is now visible through prioritized proposals and unlocking of trade and logistics regulations that the private sector has consistently advocated.

The government's approach, led by Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprarath, represents positive cooperation between public and private sectors aimed at solving actionable problems with real results, particularly reducing costs, streamlining procedures, and removing barriers affecting Thai business competitiveness.

From the latest progress, 58 legislative reform proposals have been systematically prioritized, with 11 items ready for immediate or ongoing implementation to be expedited first. Another 21 items are actionable but require coordination with relevant agencies, while 26 items require further feasibility and policy impact study.

"The heart of the matter is not merely the number of laws reviewed, but converting business sector feedback and concerns into real solutions, so that operators experience tangible results through reduced procedures, lower costs, reduced uncertainty from regulatory interpretation, and greater business flexibility," the committee stated.

One significant example is approval of principles to reform transit and transshipment laws, standardizing the definition of "transit" with customs law to cover both border crossings and transshipment. Oversight measures will align with risk levels, allowing low-risk operations to shift from a permit system to a notification system under Risk-based Regulation principles. This will reduce interpretation redundancy, eliminate unnecessary discretion, clarify law enforcement, and accelerate goods movement through Thai ports and airports, strengthening Thailand's role as a regional trade, transport, and logistics hub.

Another concrete advance is approval to raise the height limit for trucks carrying 40-foot High Cube containers from 4.2 meters to 4.6 meters from the ground, aligning with international standards. This reduces transport constraints, improves logistics efficiency, and lowers operator costs.

Both cases demonstrate that regulatory refinement, though detailed operationally, directly impacts business efficiency and costs. Extending such approaches to other regulations will foster a pro-business and investment environment while strengthening Thailand's long-term competitiveness.

The committee thanked Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprarath and relevant government agencies for welcoming private sector input and expediting implementation.